Reiki Informed by
Watson’s Caring Science as a Self-Care Practice for Nurses

Proposed Study

OBJECTIVE

To create a publishable IRB approved research study that evaluates the benefits of Reiki practice as a self-care tool for nurses at BCH. The study will incorporate Watson’s Caring Science theory and language and use their measurements to assess the results, as well as other BCH measures.  

 

PARTNERS

Boulder Community Health hospital (TBD)

Watson Caring Science Institute (approved)

LifeSpark Cancer Resources (approved) 

Reiki Colorado Academy (approved) 

Research hospital for data assessment (TBD)

 

METHODS

Two groups of 25-40 nurses will be randomized into two cohorts. Cohort One will be trained in Reiki Levels I & II  (First and Second Degree Reiki) over a three-month time frame. Cohort Two will serve as the control. Once Cohort One has completed training, then Cohort Two will begin the same three-month training. ReikiColorado Academy will be performing all training. 

 

The training will include in-person training, live web based seminars, daily self Reiki practice, and Reiki exchanges. There will be protected time for 10-15 minutes of daily Reiki practice. This program will be customized to accommodate nurses schedules and unique needs.  

 

POSSIBLE COMPONENTS

Protected space for nurses to practice Reiki

Trading system partnering pairs of nurses to trade sessions and for self Reiki accountability

An application for nurses to track their daily self Reiki practice

Cash payments for completion of assessments. Possible $50-100 per assessment, especially those assessments after completion of the training

 

ASSESSMENTS

Assessments will be administered through online surveys that are sent via an email link. Assessments occur before and immediately after training, three months after training, and six months after training. Assessments will include: 

Watson Caritas assessment – which one (?)

BCH assessments - Employee engagement (?), Employee retention (?) 

Recommended assessments from research partner

A method for tracking how often participants are practicing self Reiki 

 

ACHIEVABLE OUTCOMES

Nurses will be certified to practice Reiki for themselves and for others

Brings Watson’s Caring Science theories of nursing into experiential practice 

Will help create a cohesive culture among nurses

Substantiates Caritas language and literacy within nurse and hospital cultures

Will establish a foundation for Reiki training and Reiki practice standards

 

 

About ReikiColorado Academy

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ReikiColorado Academy is devoted exclusively to teaching and practicing energy healing in the form of Reiki. Established in 2001, ReikiColorado Academy has been training Reiki practitioners and Reiki Masters uninterrupted for almost 25 years.

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Founder, Susan Chiocchi, as well as being a Reiki Master, is a Watson Caring Science Institute 

Faculty Associate and a Caritas Coach®. ReikiColorado Academy Reiki training programs are 

endorsed by the Watson’s Caring Science Institute. 

 

Susan’s 2024 Capstone project for the Watson Caring Science Institute Caritas Coach Education Program integrated the theories of Watson’s Caring Science into Reiki Level I training at BCH. In the post training survey, students and teaching facilitators scored experiencing over 90% embodiment for each of the 10 Caritas Processes® and the three Ethics of Watson’s Caring Science during the training.

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ReikiColorado Academy in partnership with LifeSpark Cancer Resources

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FOCUS & HISTORY

LifeSpark is a non-profit organization that has been providing wellness sessions to cancer patients and their caregivers since 2005. They specialize in Reiki and Healing Touch as the only modalities they work with. In the last 19 years over 30,000 Reiki and Healing Touch sessions have been delivered to 6,000 individuals with cancer.

 

BENEFITS

Reiki and Healing Touch have been shown to reduce pain, stress and depression, while promoting a sense of peace and well-being. They are gentle and safe.

 

LIFESPARK SCOPE

Offering weekly in person, remote and in hospital sessions, LifeSpark works with five cancer centers and 12 locations in the Denver metro.

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LIFESPARK RESEARCH

LifeSpark has been studying how training oncology nurses in Reiki as a self-care tool can support them in their stressful jobs.

2020 Pilot Program: In 2020 they trained five oncology nurses in Reiki as a self-care tool at the Anschutz Cancer Center. Resilience improved by 18% after training.

2022 IRB Approved Study: In 2022 they completed an IRB approved research project at the Anschutz Cancer Center. They trained 14 oncology nurses in two cohorts, using the Connor Davidson Resilience Scale as the measure.

 

Results: Resilience improved by 16% after training. After three months it declined to 12%, and after six months it declined to 8.5%. Qualitative comments indicated that many of the nurses did not continue with the self Reiki practice in the months following the training. They hypothesize that the lack of institutional culture for nurse wellness at UCHealth may have contributed to the decline in self Reiki practice over time and the corresponding decline in resilience scores.

 

LOOKING AHEAD

Self Reiki practice declined after the initial 16% improvement because the participants lacked commitment and the practice lacked meaning to them. In order for the continued benefit of self Reiki practice to sustain, LifeSpark, Watson Caring Science Institute and ReikiColorado Academy recommend that the theories of Watson’s Caring Science be integrated into the teaching and practice of Reiki. By illuminating Reiki practice with Caritas Literacy and providing an experiential form for Watson’s Caring Science through Reiki practice, meaning and commitment will be created.

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REIKI IN CLINICAL APPLICATION

In clinical settings Reiki is being used to mitigate pain, reduce anxiety and enhance well-being. It measurably improves BP, HR and Cortisol levels.

 

Stress Reduction and Relaxation

A primary use of Reiki in clinical settings is for stress reduction and restfulness. Stress can significantly interfere with recovery and healing. Reiki is used to create a calm state of being that supports managing anxiety, tension, and emotional distress. It is commonly used in hospitals, cancer treatment centers, and psychiatric wards.

 

Complementing Psychological Therapy

Reiki is used alongside conventional psychological therapies, such as talk therapy or cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). It helps patients address emotional imbalances and trauma by releasing blockages in the body’s energy field and promoting a sense of emotional wellness.

 

Reducing Anxiety and Depression

Research has shown that Reiki reduces symptoms of anxiety and depression making it useful in psychiatric or psychological settings. It supports emotional well-being creating a sense of peace and calm through balancing the patient’s energy. 

 

Enhanced Recovery from Surgery and Illness

Reiki accelerates recovery after surgeries, trauma, and illnesses by supporting the body’s natural healing processes. Prior to surgery and during recovery Reiki is used to decrease anxiety. Studies show that, post surgery, Reiki promotes faster wound healing, reduces swelling, and improves the body’s immune response.

 

Pain Management

Reiki is an effective complementary therapy for pain management, particularly for post-surgical recovery and chronic pain conditions.  Research has shown that Reiki can help reduce pain perception by enhancing the flow of energy, encouraging the body’s intrinsic healing abilities.

 

Supporting Cancer Patients

Reiki is used in cancer care centers to provide emotional and physical support. While Reiki does not replace medical treatments, it can help manage the side effects of cancer treatment, such as pain, fatigue, nausea, depression and anxiety. Studies have shown it can  reduce side effects and improve quality of life.

 

Supporting Cardiac Patients

Research shows that Reiki can improve heart rate variability (HRV) in patients recovering from cardiac events. The use of Reiki has been shown to be as effective as medications in improving HRV.

 

Improving Sleep Quality

The deep relaxation Reiki induces has been shown to improve sleep quality, which is crucial for healing and overall well-being. Patients suffering from sleep disorders or those undergoing treatments that interfere with sleep can benefit from Reiki. 

 

Supporting Spiritual Well-Being

Reiki is used as part of a holistic approach to patient care, focusing on body, mind and spirit. It supports individuals to connect with their own sense of peace, purpose, and spiritual expression.

 

Palliative and Hospice Care

Reiki improves comfort, reduces anxiety, and promotes relaxation for terminally ill patients. It is used in end-of-life care settings to help ease pain, anxiety and emotional distress. It benefits both patients and their families.

 

Immeasurables

While studies are designed to select for specific measurables, patients continually report that the aftereffect of a Reiki session is further reaching in its positive benefits. Patients experience wide-ranging, favorable developments throughout their whole being. 

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REIKI STANDARDS OF PRACTICE & RESEARCH

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Standards and Regulations

Reiki is widely accepted in integrative medicine programs due to its safety, low cost, and patient-reported benefits. It is being increasingly used in clinical applications as a complementary therapy to improve patient outcomes.

 

Unlike medical treatments, Reiki is not regulated in most countries, and practitioners’ qualifications and ability can differ. The practice of Reiki can vary greatly depending on the training of the practitioners. Patient safety, consistency and ethics of practice are a concern. ReikiColorado Academy has developed standards for both the teaching and practice of Reiki.

 

Clinical Research on Reiki from PubMed

A meta-analysis published in Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice assessed four randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving 212 participants. The results indicated that Reiki was associated with a statistically significant reduction in pain levels, as measured by the Visual Analog. 

 

A large-scale effectiveness trial involving 1,411 Reiki sessions reported significant improvements in various psychological and physical health outcomes, including positive and negative affect, pain, anxiety, depression, and overall well-being.

 

A pilot study on Reiki's effects in post-stroke rehabilitation found no significant impact on functional recovery or mood improvement. However, post hoc analyses suggested potential limited effects on mood and energy levels. 

 

In a pilot study of patients undergoing knee replacement surgery, those receiving Reiki reported significant reductions in pain, blood pressure, respiration rate, and anxiety compared to control groups, denoting Reiki’s use  in postoperative care.

 

A randomized controlled trial assessing Reiki's impact on caregivers of cancer patients found reductions in stress levels and blood pressure compared to a sham Reiki group, suggesting potential benefits in stress management.

 

In a hospital-based randomized trial, 86 women recovering from episiotomy were divided into Reiki and control groups. The Reiki group results showed significantly better healing outcomes (lower REEDA scores and edema) and reduced perineal pain scores using the McGill Pain Questionnaire.

 

Synthesis Across Studies

Pain Relief:

Strong support from RCTs and effectiveness trials

Anxiety Reduction:

Meta-analysis shows consistent large effects

Stress/Biomarkers:

Cortisol, BP, HR lowered in controlled settings

Quality of Life:

Improved mood, clarity, spiritual well-being

 

Some institutions that practice Reiki 

New York-Presbyterian Hospital, New York

Mayo Clinic, Minnesota

Duke Health,North Carolina

Yale-New Haven Hospital, Connecticut

UCLA Medical Center, California

Johns Hopkins Medicine, Maryland

Stanford Medical Center, California

Banner Health, Arizona

Winchester Hospital, Massachusetts

Windham Hospital, Connecticut

Aurora Health Care, Wisconsin

Boulder Community Health, Colorado

UC Health, Colorado

 

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WE OFFER COMPREHENSIVE REIKI TRAINING

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ReikiColorado Academy was founded by Susan Chiocchi and is devoted exclusively to teaching and practicing energy healing in the form of Reiki. We offer certification trainings and courses in the traditional three levels of Reiki as well as advanced trainings and professional practices.

 

With 30 years of practice and training, Susan is a recognized expert on energy healing, Reiki and energy anatomy which she teaches internationally. Along with her teaching team of Reiki Masters, she guides students into the practice of Reiki as a journey for personal awakening and compassion in action.

 

Endorsed by Watson Caring Science Institute

Curriculum integrates Caring Science & Reiki

Comprehensive Training Manuals

Training videos for later unlimited access

Low student to teacher ratio

Clinical practice experience

Standards for professional & clinical practice

Over 1500 alumni

Over 75 Certified Reiki Master Teachers

 

ReikiColorado Academy teaching resources include manuals for three levels of Reiki, advanced practices and professional level practices, and teaching videos for topics covered in classes.

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THE PRACTICE OF REIKI EMBODIES WATSON’S CARING SCIENCE IN ACTION

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“Reiki attunes us to the infinite life force energy of universal love,

 the greatest source of all healing.”

 

~ Jean Watson

 

The practice of Reiki is a perfect exemplar of Watson’s Caring Science. The connection we hold with another is beyond self and beyond time yet containing both. The moment of connection has a field of its own.

 

A Reiki practitioner is a conduit for infinite life force energy ~ we allow healing energy of universal love to move through us to our patient. As we embrace the whole person, it requires that we include mind and spirit with body, as well as our relationship to our environment. The emphasis is upon unity.

 

Reiki is a form of energy healing that can be learned by everyone. For caregivers, it is a transpersonal journey into fully expressing their deepest authenticity as healers. For patients, Reiki is an experience of the sacred action of caring and capacity to heal. 

 

ReikiColorado Academy has the expertise and experience to implement Reiki training informed by Watson’s Caring Science for your organization.

 

Self Reiki in support of self-care

Staff practice of Reiki in support of staff wellness

Certification to practice Reiki with patients

Creates cohesive, harmonious working culture

Learn from an established teaching organization

Gives substance and form to Caritas Literacy

Experiential practice of Watson’s Caring Science

Standards for professional & clinical practice

 

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ABSTRACT

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REIKI LEVEL I TRAINING AN EXPRESSION OF WATSON’S CARING SCIENCE  

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Susan Chiocchi, CRMT, Diploma BHS, Certified Soul Retrieval Ritualist

Watson's Caring Science Faculty Associate, Caritas Coach®

ReikiColorado Academy, Boulder, CO

 

Introduction: Teaching Reiki and Caritas Literacy with a renewed focus on self-care initiatives and wellness in the Boulder Community. Current Reiki training and practice has foundational attributes that naturally integrated dimensions of Watson Caring Science, such as the Caritas Processes® and the core ethics of caring. The practice of Reiki enables students to tangibly experience some of the less visible aspects of Watson's Caring Science such as performing rituals to connect with the Universal Energy Field, embodying the First Ethic of Caring Science— The Ethic of Belonging. By bringing form and experiential practice to the theories of Watson’s Caring Science through the practice of Reiki a renewed focus on self-care initiatives and wellness can be established in the Boulder Community and beyond. 

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Significance: Reiki Level I training provides the foundation of practice for self and others. It is an established, experiential form through which the Three Ethics of Caring Science (Ethics of Face, Ethics of Hand, and Ethic of Belonging) and the 10 Caritas Processes® can be experienced, developed and ultimately evolve within oneself. In this, the practice of Reiki provides a form for Caring Science, and the language of Caring Science galvanizes the significance of practicing Reiki. The integration of Caritas Literacy bestows a deeper meaning and commitment to caring and to self-care as the framework for informed communication. As we shepherd in Paradigm III medicine the profound alignment of practicing Reiki with Caring Science Theory is invaluable as an explicit and integrated expression of form and theory.  

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Purpose: The purpose of this Capstone is to create an accessible form for the practice of Watson’s Caring Science and the expression and assimilation of all the 10 Caritas Processes®.

 

Setting and Participants: Reiki Level I integrated with Caritas Literacy and Theory was taught as a 2-day workshop, September 21-22, 2024, on the Boulder Community Health hospital campus. The larger, Caruthers Conference room was the main teaching room. It is modern, spacious and filled with natural light. The smaller, Janet Martin Conference room was transformed into sacred space with a non-denominational altar adorned with objects of beauty from nature, electric candles, LED pin lights and the participants’ own sacred objects for the 4 attunements that accompany Reiki I training. Ten participants including hospital staff and community members participated. Five Reiki Masters, including the author, taught and facilitated the training.

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Capstone Description/Process: Expanding the instruction of Reiki Level I teaching structure  and syllabus that the author has refined through many years of teaching and the new Reiki Level  I manual, Reiki I, An Expression of Watson’s Caring Science, the traditional 2 day Reiki I Training was enhanced by the inclusion of the language of the Three Ethics of Caring Science and experiential  practices that illustrate the 10 Caritas Processes®. The congruence of Reiki and Caring Science Theory was further illustrated in slide presentation throughout the training. For example, as students practiced sensing energy during experiential exercises, the clear alignment with Caritas Process® #6 Creatively problem solving embodying all ways of knowing/being/doing/ becoming and was named, illustrated and experienced.  

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Capstone Outcomes: Upon conclusion of the 2-day Reiki I training students were proficient with the practice of Reiki for self and others integrated with and informed by the language of caring as form and language for embodiment of Era III medicine.  Rather than a completion, this training marks the initiation into a journey of self-development and awareness that is further developed in Reiki Level II, Reiki Level III apprenticeship and professional practices for collegial support. 

Capstone Evaluation or Partial/Projected Evaluation if not completed: The Capstone was evaluated with an informal survey and participant reflection administered after the training. 

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Future Directions: The format for this training will be modified to accommodate a formal study of the impact of Reiki with Caritas Theory and Literacy for nurses’ self-care. Additionally, this enhanced training will become the foundation for bringing Reiki training integrated with Watson’s Caring Science to hospitals, nursing schools and other medical facilities for staff to train and use for their own wellness support. Ultimately Caritas Reiki informed nurses will be bringing the experience and theories of Watson’s Caring Science through the practice of Reiki to patients. As Reiki is not currently regulated, a standard of teaching, practice and competency for WCSI Reiki is to be established.

 

Acknowledgements: I would like to thank all of the CCEP® staff for their patient and joyful shepherding through this journey and especially to my CCEP Caritas Coach® Mentor, Amy Schlachtenhaufen, MSN, RN, Caritas Coach® for her honest, gentle-yet-direct and unwavering support. Special thanks to Julie Watson, BFA, MA Caritas Coach® for suggesting that I apply to the CCEP program and for her generous inclusiveness of my presence. And gratitude beyond words to Dr. Jean Watson for her impeccable being and expansive support of Reiki. 

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References:  

Watson, J. (2008). Nursing: The philosophy and science of caring, revised edition. University Press of Colorado.

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